Category: Putin

I am amazed at the number, scope, and continuous flow of speculations about Donald Trump, as president-elect. Now we have an American, billionaire, capitalist, accused of being a Russian sympathizer, and even a collaborator with Russia’s Putin to win the election. Does that sound like the Russian version of “The Manchurian Candidate” to you? (FYI: a Matryoshka (ma-trosh-ka) is a hollow, Russian, nested, wooden doll with smaller and smaller dolls inside.) I guess there are no limits on imagination, enmity, paranoia, malice, and disappointment.

Those who oppose Donald Trump, and those who are left bitter, dazed, angry, and confused by his election as President do not need to be rational in their relentless attacks on anything Trump. Those accusing him of being soft on Russia, a Putin sycophant, and naïve about our enemies might take a minute to reflect on how silly that sounds.

Is it soft to sell some rich Russians overpriced condos and land in the US? Is it sycophantic to use Putin to criticize political opponents as being weak? Is it naïve to get the Russians to pay premium prices to have the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow? Do I hear a no?

Until now, Mr. Trump’s interest in Russia has been limited to money, i.e. making money, not losing it, and not giving it away. All his dealings with Russians have been real estate in the US, or visiting Moscow for a US-based beauty pageant. Trump has never met Putin face-to-face, or made any deals with him. Putin even cancelled a scheduled meeting with Trump during the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. Does that sound like love to you? I believe Trump could continue to make money from Russians without being President, and without being friends with Putin; therefore, I do not think there is a sinister link. What else would he have to gain?

Some cite the friendly, respectful tone of comments and letters between the men. A friendly demeanor is not the same as friendship; sometimes negotiations can benefit from pleasant diplomacy.

Others suggest that Putin sees Trump as weaker than Clinton. Do we have some evidence that Trump is as passive as Obama has been in foreign matters, such as Crimea and Syria? Or maybe evidence that Putin is afraid of Hillary after meeting her as Secretary of State?